Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2381  Aboard

Five days of preparation had finally passed, and now the fifty acolytes of Hall 6 stood assembled at the Academy dock. Emery and Klea joined them as their leader, guiding and steadying the young acolytes as they prepared for what would be their most grueling exam yet. Among them, Hardy was visibly restless, methodically inspecting their equipment list, double-checking every item they had managed to gather.

Unlike previous exams, which focused on fairness, this one emphasized survival, allowing each hall to bring any gear or provisions they deemed essential. Hall 6's acolytes, coming predominantly from the lower realms, had fewer resources to display. Their crates were mismatched, a stark contrast to the coordinated, polished boxes of other halls. This difference didn't go unnoticed—whispers and sidelong glances from nearby halls signaled a quiet, unspoken judgment, adding to the mounting tension in the air.

Before long, the half-blood halls arrived, their members warmly greeting each other and infusing the dock with a lively, familiar energy.

The sight seemed to lift some of the anxiety from Hall 6, and Emery seized the moment to approach Shinta. As he reached her, he gently analyzed the pendant around her neck, double-checking the partial soul he had embedded inside, and reminded her to be careful.

"'Ooo... seriously, Father... I am the number one acolyte! You should worry about your other kids instead!'

Shinta's playful comment drew surprised looks and a few amused smiles from the Hall 6 acolytes nearby, particularly Ha Ron and Kingrig, who exchanged glances at her remark.

As they spoke, Magus Beatrice—a senior instructor from Hall 9—approached the group. She offered Emery a respectful nod and said. 'Rest assured, I'll be keeping a close eye on your daughter"

Soon, all 120 twenty halls gradually filled the docks, a sea of acolytes and instructors bustling with anticipation. However, upon closer observation, Emery noted that there were fewer than forty units formed, resulting in a total of about two thousand acolytes.

A swift calculation made it clear: with approximately 20% of acolytes still below rank 9 and around 15% of the halls left unfilled, there was a substantial number of students absent.

The absence of many was telling. A significant number of acolytes had chosen not to participate in the group exam due to safety concerns. This was particularly true for those hailing from the higher and top halls, where family expectations loomed large. Their factions, protective and unwilling to bear the risk of potential loss, had convinced them to stay back.

As Emery scanned the bustling dock, he noticed a group of Academy Magus staff approaching their designated halls. Hall 6 was assigned to a young, bespectacled female Magus named Surri, who would serve as their official handler. Selected from Beta Academy to ensure objectivity in marking, she was tasked with reporting achievements and noting any penalties during the mission

Despite her unassuming appearance, there was a quiet strength about her, and Emery sensed the aura of a Half-Moon realm magus emanating from her. "Welcome, Magus Surri!" Klea quickly stepped forward, her warm smile and charm breaking the ice as she introduced herself, skillfully establishing a friendly rapport with their new handler. As they finalized the last details, the rumble of engines reverberated from above.

Eight imposing Magus Alliance Military cruisers descended from the sky, their massive, destroyer-class hulls casting long shadows over the dock. These formidable ships had clearly seen action on the frontlines; their exteriors bore deep battle scars, and their turrets gleamed under the sunlight, a stark reminder of the battle that lay ahead.

Headmaster Goldstein arrived to greet the commanders of the warships, his authoritative presence commanding the attention of the students.

With a powerful voice, he addressed the assembled acolytes, reminding them of their duty and the honor of serving the Alliance. His words left a palpable sense of gravity and purpose in the air, bolstering their resolve.

"All aboard!' came the booming shout from one of the commanders.

The acolytes, a mix of excitement and apprehension, began to board their assigned warships. As each of them stepped onto the massive vessels, the reality of the mission settled in. Each of the eight warships housed five units of acolytes, totaling two hundred fifty young warriors on board. Emery felt a surge of relief upon discovering that Hall 9 was sharing the same ship; this meant they would be directed to a similar zone during the mission.

"This is great! We might be able to help each other again" Bellana exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she glanced at her fellow acolytes. Magus Surri adjusted her glasses, her fingers brushing against the sleek frames as she began to explain the arrangements made between the Academy and the Magus military forces. Her voice was steady and authoritative, capturing the attention of the acolytes.

The Magus Alliance has over three dozen active warzones across its three quadrants, shared between the three Magus academies: Alpha, Beta, and Delta.

As she spoke, the acolytes listened intently. "The lower and middle halls will be deployed to less dangerous areas designated as the Yellow Zone, while the higher and top halls will face the more perilous Red Zones.' Emery's heart raced as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. As members of a top hall, it became increasingly clear that the ship they were boarding was bound for a Red Zone—one of the most treacherous and volatile areas in the ongoing conflict.

However, while the five halls would share the same command center during their operations, it seemed unlikely they would be assigned to the same mission, leaving each group to face its challenges and dangers.

During the travel, the acolytes were subjected to a crash course on military command structures, essential equipment, and the galaxy they were entering. The briefings were intense and packed with vital information, with experienced Magus conveying the nuances of battlefield tactics and the importance of teamwork and survival.

After five long days of travel through multiple space portals, the ship finally arrived at their destination.